Breeders' Cup President D.G. Van Clief said the
organization is "deep into talks with several powerful
candidates" for a new racing sponsorship package. While Van
Clief would "not name the sponsor or what kind of deal it
would entail," he did say that it would involve a sponsor,
host tracks, and NBC and ESPN (THOROUGHBRED TIMES, 12/10).
SUPER BOWL PROMOS SUPPORTED BY $50M IN SPENDING: USA
TODAY's McCarthy & Howard report that NFL sponsors are
"about to blitz" U.S. consumers with about 20 consumer
promos around the Super Bowl. League estimates have
sponsors spending $50M on the promos (USA TODAY, 12/11).
SOME ADVERTISERS ON XFL SIDELINES: In Chicago, Lewis
Lazare wrote that the "lack of a clear picture of how" the
XFL will "play out on" TV is "causing some high-profile
advertisers to take a wait-and-see attitude before
committing to the minimum" $145,000 ad package for three 30-
second spots. While A-B, Procter & Gamble, Burger King,
Quaker State and AT&T have all signed ad deals, Visa, GE and
PepsiCo "haven't committed yet" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/10).
